{
 "categories": [
  "cad",
  "engineering"
 ],
 "deployment": "desktop",
 "evidence": [
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "homepage",
   "note": "Dassault Systemes presents SOLIDWORKS as its commercial design, engineering, simulation and product-development suite.",
   "source": "https://www.solidworks.com/",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "platforms",
   "note": "Current SOLIDWORKS Design desktop and API development requirements use supported 64-bit Windows and Microsoft development tools.",
   "source": "https://www.solidworks.com/support/system-requirements",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "license",
   "note": "SOLIDWORKS is commercially licensed through subscription, term and perpetual offerings.",
   "source": "https://www.solidworks.com/how-to-buy",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.exists",
   "note": "The official API is a COM programming interface providing direct access to SOLIDWORKS functionality through hundreds of functions.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_solidworks_api.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[0]",
   "note": "SOLIDWORKS exposes its desktop application and document object model through COM.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_solidworks_api.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[1]",
   "note": "Supported application types include SOLIDWORKS macros, standalone programs and add-ins.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/sldworksapiprogguide/GettingStarted/Types_of_SolidWorks_API_Applications_Overview.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[2]",
   "note": "The API SDK supplies first-party project templates for VB.NET, C# and C++ or CLI add-ins.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/sldworksapiprogguide/GettingStarted/SolidWorks_API_Getting_Started_Overview.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[3]",
   "note": "Document Manager provides a separate API for SOLIDWORKS file data without loading files into the full application.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/swdocmgrapi/GettingStarted-swdocmgrapi.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.kinds[4]",
   "note": "PDM Professional publishes an API for most vault, file, workflow, user, card, task and search functionality.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/epdmapi/GettingStarted-epdmapi.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.auth[0]",
   "note": "Every Document Manager user needs a customer-portal license key, renewed for each major release and scoped to licensed data categories.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/swdocmgrapi/GettingStarted-swdocmgrapi.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.auth[1]",
   "note": "PDM automation operates through an authenticated vault connection and the permissions of the logged-in vault user.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/epdmapi/GettingStarted-epdmapi.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.api.coverage",
   "note": "The application interface and related document model cover document lifecycle, geometry, features, assemblies, drawings, properties, mass, UI, events, import and export.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/sldworksapi/SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks~SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks.ISldWorks_members.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk",
   "note": "SOLIDWORKS installs an API SDK with interop assemblies, templates, examples and language-specific add-in support.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/sldworksapiprogguide/GettingStarted/SolidWorks_API_Getting_Started_Overview.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.sdk.languages",
   "note": "Official help lists VBA, Visual Basic, VB.NET, C++, C# and SOLIDWORKS macro files as supported callers.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_solidworks_api.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.extensibility.scripting",
   "note": "Macros, standalone COM automation, add-ins, macro features, Document Manager and PDM add-ins form supported extension paths.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/sldworksapiprogguide/GettingStarted/Types_of_SolidWorks_API_Applications_Overview.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.export",
   "note": "Save and export APIs write native documents and neutral CAD, mesh, drawing, PDF and eDrawings formats with silent options and explicit error or warning results.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/sldworksapi/SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks~SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks.IModelDocExtension~SaveAs2.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "modalities.data_access.import",
   "note": "Document open and import interfaces load native SOLIDWORKS and supported neutral or third-party CAD formats.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/sldworksapi/SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks~SolidWorks.Interop.sldworks.ISldWorks_members.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "verdict.scores.api",
   "note": "A broad desktop object model, multiple supported languages, add-in SDK, file-only Document Manager and PDM API are unusually complete; Windows, licensing, application-state and version coupling prevent a perfect score.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_solidworks_api.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[0].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current SOLIDWORKS 2026 API overview.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_solidworks_api.htm",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[1].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current Document Manager requirements and license-key reference.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/swdocmgrapi/GettingStarted-swdocmgrapi.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  },
  {
   "date": "2026-08-17",
   "fact": "freshness.watch[2].url",
   "note": "Opened and verified as the current PDM Professional API capability overview.",
   "source": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/epdmapi/GettingStarted-epdmapi.html",
   "tier": "declared"
  }
 ],
 "freshness": {
  "last_verified": "2026-08-17",
  "volatility": "high",
  "watch": [
   {
    "type": "desktop-api",
    "url": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_solidworks_api.htm"
   },
   {
    "type": "document-api",
    "url": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/english/api/swdocmgrapi/GettingStarted-swdocmgrapi.html"
   },
   {
    "type": "pdm-api",
    "url": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/epdmapi/GettingStarted-epdmapi.html"
   }
  ]
 },
 "homepage": "https://www.solidworks.com/",
 "id": "solidworks",
 "license": "commercial",
 "modalities": {
  "agent_docs": {
   "llms_txt": "unknown"
  },
  "api": {
   "auth": [
    "document-manager-license-key",
    "pdm-vault-credentials"
   ],
   "coverage": "full",
   "docs": "https://help.solidworks.com/2026/English/api/sldworksapiprogguide/GettingStarted/SolidWorks_API_Getting_Started_Overview.htm",
   "exists": true,
   "kinds": [
    "com",
    "macros",
    "add-ins",
    "document-manager",
    "pdm-api"
   ]
  },
  "cli": {
   "exists": "unknown"
  },
  "computer_use": {
   "issues": [
    "desktop-ui-not-measured",
    "version-specific-add-ins"
   ],
   "viability": "unknown"
  },
  "data_access": {
   "export": [
    "sldprt",
    "sldasm",
    "slddrw",
    "step",
    "iges",
    "parasolid",
    "stl",
    "3mf",
    "dxf",
    "dwg",
    "pdf",
    "edrawings",
    "bom"
   ],
   "import": [
    "sldprt",
    "sldasm",
    "slddrw",
    "step",
    "iges",
    "parasolid",
    "stl",
    "3mf",
    "dxf",
    "dwg",
    "catia",
    "nx",
    "creo"
   ]
  },
  "extensibility": {
   "scripting": [
    "vba-macros",
    "vsta-macros",
    "com-add-ins",
    "standalone-com",
    "document-manager",
    "pdm-add-ins",
    "task-add-ins"
   ],
   "webhooks": "unknown"
  },
  "integrations": {
   "make": "unknown",
   "n8n": "unknown",
   "power_automate": "unknown",
   "zapier": "unknown"
  },
  "mcp": {
   "first_party": "unknown",
   "third_party": [],
   "verdict": "unknown"
  },
  "rpa": {
   "drivability": "unknown",
   "notes": "No repeatable UI probe was run. The supported COM object model, macros, add-ins and file APIs provide semantic access to most desktop design operations and are preferable to visual control. Modal commands, graphics interaction, third-party add-ins and customer templates may still expose UI-only behavior and require an exact-version probe.\n",
   "ui_stack": [
    "windows-native",
    "com-object-model"
   ],
   "vendor_support": []
  },
  "sdk": {
   "exists": true,
   "languages": [
    "vba",
    "visual-basic",
    "csharp",
    "cpp",
    "cpp-cli"
   ],
   "official": true
  }
 },
 "name": "SOLIDWORKS",
 "platforms": [
  "windows"
 ],
 "related": {
  "alternatives": [
   "autodesk-fusion-360",
   "autocad",
   "sketchup"
  ],
  "our_products": []
 },
 "schema_version": 1,
 "score_version": 1,
 "status": "active",
 "vendor": "Dassault Systemes",
 "verdict": {
  "best_path": "api",
  "scores": {
   "api": 9,
   "cli": null,
   "computer_use": null,
   "integrations": null,
   "mcp": null,
   "overall": 9,
   "rpa": null
  },
  "summary": "SOLIDWORKS has one of the deepest established desktop CAD automation surfaces. Its COM API exposes hundreds of functions to VBA, Visual Basic, .NET, C++ and macro files. Standalone programs and in-process add-ins can create, open, inspect, rebuild and save parts, assemblies and drawings; traverse features, configurations and component trees; create geometry and dimensions; manage selections, custom properties, materials, mass data, drawings and bills of materials; subscribe to events; and add commands or task panes. The API SDK includes Visual Studio templates for VB.NET, C# and C++ add-ins. Document Manager reads and writes supported SOLIDWORKS files without starting the CAD application, including properties, references, configurations and selected streams, but requires a subscription-issued, release-specific license key. PDM Professional has a separate API covering vaults, files, folders, versions, revisions, users, cards, workflows, transitions, tasks and search. This is powerful automation, but it is Windows and COM dependent, licensed, version-coupled, sensitive to active documents and selections, and sometimes requires a running interactive SOLIDWORKS process. No product-specific first-party MCP, general CLI, verified named low-code connector, repeatable visual RPA result or computer-use result was established.\n"
 }
}